Vicenza Is Not a Real Place Vol. 01

FIND YOUR STORY

Choose a story for the details, addresses and booking links. 

A · Basketball inside the Basilica ↓
B · Sofia Coppola on the cinema screen ↓
C · A trunk full of love letters ↓
D · La Rotonda in 5.4 kilos of gold ↓
E · Sailor Moon and Palladio ↓
F · Beach volleyball in winter ↓
G · A free 105-meter suspension bridge in the mountains ↓
H · Coffee at the cats’ house ↓

A · THEY REALLY PLAYED BASKETBALL INSIDE THE BASILICA

CITY CENTRE · A PLACE TO VISIT

The Basilica Palladiana’s great hall once hosted competitive basketball. Vicenza’s men’s team played here until 1966, before moving to the gym at Piarda Fanton. The building’s sporting life even appears in the parliamentary proposal to recognise it as a national monument.

Find the picture: 

Where: Basilica Palladiana, Piazza dei Signori, Vicenza.

• Address: Piazza dei Signori, 36100 Vicenza VI, Italy
• General Info Phone: +39 0444 222850
• On-site Infopoint & Ticket Office: +39 0444 222855
• Email Support & Bookings: booking@comune.vicenza.it (or basilicapalladiana@comune.vicenza.it for site-specific inquiries)  
• Days Open: Tuesday to Sunday
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Last admission is at 5:30 PM)
• Weekly Closing Day: Mondays 

 

B · SOFIA COPPOLA, LIVE ON THE CINEMA SCREEN

ONE DATE · SUNDAY 25 OCTOBER 2026

Cinema Odeon is screening Making Marie Antoinette, assembled from footage Eleanor Coppola filmed while her daughter worked at Versailles with Kirsten Dunst and Jason Schwartzman. Sofia Coppola will introduce the documentary via live streaming. The cinema has been welcoming audiences since 1907.

When: Sunday 25 October 2026, 8:45 pm.

Where: Cinema Odeon, Sala Lampertico, Corso Palladio 176, Vicenza.

Do this: Book a cinema ticket for the documentary and streamed introduction.

Contact & Booking:

• Phone: +39 0444 543492
• Email: info@odeonline.it
• https://www.odeonline.it/film/making-marie-antoniette/

C · A TRUNK FULL OF LOVE LETTERS

VILLA VISITS · SPECIAL THEATRICAL DATES

At Villa Ghislanzoni Curti, an old trunk preserved around 1,200 letters exchanged by Ausonia Curti and Giuseppe Tonini between 1914 and 1919. Their relationship crossed differences in social standing and the separations of the First World War. The correspondence later inspired Benissimo, sempre! I segreti di una villa, a theatrical visit through the family’s world.

Where: Villa Ghislanzoni Curti, Via San Cristoforo 73, Bertesina, Vicenza.

Do this: Contact the villa about visiting and the next theatrical dates. Performances follow a special calendar.

Contact: Claudia Curti, +39 348 7045244 · claudia@villaghislanzoni.it.

Buy the books with the letters, Explore the villa, its evenings and overnight stays →

D · LA ROTONDA, IN 5.4 KILOS OF GOLD

COLLECTOR’S LORE · VISIT THE REAL VILLA

Vacheron Constantin made a unique desk clock modelled on La Rotonda in the 1990s. Christie’s records 5.4 kilograms of gold, a kilogram of opal and more than nine carats of diamonds, with rock crystal columns and a blue enamel roof. The villa became an object measuring just 43 by 43 centimetres.

See the clock: Explore the Christie’s catalogue entry.

Visit its inspiration: Villa La Rotonda, Via della Rotonda 45, Vicenza. The regular visit includes the main floor and Romantic Grove; guided visits offer additional options.

Plan a visit to La Rotonda and its woodland →

E · SERENITY’S DRESS WAS INSPIRED BY DIOR’S PALLADIO

SAILOR MOON · DIOR · PALLADIO

Naoko Takeuchi based Princess Serenity’s gown in Sailor Moon on Palladio, the dress Gianfranco Ferré designed for Christian Dior’s spring and summer 1992 haute couture collection. The sculpted bodice and pleated white silk recall a classical column. Paris’s Musée des Arts Décoratifs documents the original dress by name, while Vogue Italia identifies the Dior design behind Serenity’s costume.

See the original dress: Palladio in the Musée des Arts Décoratifs exhibition archive →

See the comparison: Serenity and Dior in Vogue Italia →

 

F · BEACH VOLLEYBALL IN WINTER, SAND INCLUDED

BOOK A COURT · PLAY WITH FRIENDS

You can organise a beach volleyball match in Vicenza during winter. SPARK has four sand courts beneath a heated cover during the colder months, with court bookings and lessons available throughout the year.

Where: SPARK, Via Marconi 96, Marola, Torri di Quartesolo, Vicenza.

Do this: Gather your players and reserve a court. Ask about the rate for your group and membership arrangements when booking.

Phone / WhatsApp: +39 320 1581632

Email: prenotazioni@sparkvicenza.it (or segreteria@sparkvicenza.com)

G · A SUSPENSION BRIDGE YOU CAN CROSS FOR FREE

VICENZA MOUNTAINS · AN OUTDOOR PLAN

Ponte AVIS stretches for 105 metres across a ravine in the Piccole Dolomiti, reaching approximately 35 metres above the ground. Crossing is free; parking may involve a charge. The bridge forms part of the Strada del Re, with views towards the surrounding mountains.

Where: Ponte AVIS, Valli del Pasubio, Vicenza.

Do this: From the parking areas towards the Ossario del Pasubio, follow the Strada del Re towards Campogrosso. The local tourism office describes an approach of approximately 30 minutes on foot. Check weather and path conditions before travelling, particularly for snow or ice.

H · COFFEE AT THE CATS’ HOUSE

BOOK A TABLE · MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED

Neko Café in Longara takes its inspiration from Japan’s cat cafés. Seven resident cats share the space with visitors having coffee and cake, while volunteers run the association in their spare time. Opening days can vary with their availability.

Where: Via Grancare Basse 3, Longara, Vicenza.

Before you go: Apply for membership online before your visit. The 2026 card costs €6 and is valid until 31 December 2026; applications must be submitted in advance.

Book a table: +39 0444 701300 · info@nekocafe.it.